Current Mortgage Rate Comparison
FAQ and General Information
Is it possible to reduce my closing costs?
If you are refinancing, you could reduce some costs by asking your lender about them. Example: your lender could use your last home appraisal or your other credit reports or even recertify old documents for cheaper then getting new documents.
Is Home Mortgage Refinancing the right option for me?
Look at your mortgage related goals: are you looking to improve your monthly cash flow, reduce your mortgage term, do you need to take out cash utilizing the equity from your home? Obtaining the right mortgage for your particular needs could make sense even when rates are not at their lowest levels. First identify your goal and contact a mortgage professional for suggestions on mortgage programs that would best help you meet your objectives. Then shop for rates after you have selected the appropriate mortgage program.
How much money can I borrow with home equity line of credit?
Depending on your your income,credit history, and the amount of your debt, home equity lenders could lend you up to 80% of value of your home less the amount owed on your mortgages.
How long will I have to repay the second mortgage?
Some second mortgage loans could go for 20 years and some could require repayment in same year. You should discuss the repayment terms with lenders and pick one who offers the best terms for your needs.
What can home equity credit line do for me?
If you need to borrow money, home equity lines just could be a great source of cash. It would provide you with a large amount of cash at relatively low interest rates and with some tax advantages not available with other kinds of loans.
Is it a good idea to pay points for a lower rate?
If you are refinancing mortgage, paying points is not always your best option. Points paid for refinancing can be deducted only in small amounts from your taxes, so it could take couple of years before you benefit from a lower rate.
What paperwork will the lender need to process my mortgage?
The answer depends upon the quality of your credit and the amount of equity you have in your property. On a typical fully documented house mortgage application (where an applicant is seeking to qualify based on an employee's salary), the mortgage lender will require: one month's current pay stubs, W-2's for the prior two years and bank and investment account statements for the prior 2-3 months. If an applicant is self-employed then additional documentation could be required
How much Homeowner's insurance coverage do I need to get new mortgage?
A safe bet is to buy a guaranteed-replacement-cost policy that will generally pay out 20-50% more than the face value of the policy to rebuild your home (this is also the preferred policy of mortgage lenders). A replacement-cost policy typically adjusts the amount of insurance each year to keep pace with rising construction costs in your area. It is important to note that local building codes require structures to be built to specific standards which could vary over time, if your home is severely damaged, you may be required to rebuild it to current codes. Even guaranteed-replacement-cost polices do not always cover this expense. However, many insurers offer an endorsement that will pay for the upgrading cost, it is a good idea to consider adding such an endorsement to your replacement-cost policy.
Will the lender require a fee to lock in my interest rate?
For a traditional 30-90 day rate lock, the lender will not require the borrower to pay a lock fee, but for the privilege of locking for a period beyond 90 days they may. Some lenders allow borrowers to lock and then float the rate down one time during the cheap mortgage process, typically a borrower is required to bring in a fee of ½-1% of the mortgage amount which is then credited (or refunded) to them at closing. It is a lock fee the lender requires to insure the transaction will in fact close.
How much will closing cost?
Generally you will need around 2% of the purchase price to cover the time between when you close and your first mortgage payment. But when refinancing , your old mortgage should have money in escrow to cover these costs.
What is the difference between 0 point and no cost mortgage?
With no cost mortgage, a borrower has accepted a higher interest rates, with the trade off that the lender or broker will pay for all their non-recurring closing costs. With 0 point mortgage, a borrower has opted not to pay points to buy their interest rates down but will still be paying for their base closing costs.